Coronavirus: Hong Kong, Singapore in talks again over postponed travel bubble, extra safeguards mulled
- Quarantine-free arrangement was set for November last year but derailed by fresh outbreak
- Source says new launch date still unknown, but extra measures may be needed
A government source said authorities on both sides were in talks over the arrangement, but it was still too early to say when it would begin.
The quarantine-free travel arrangement, touted at the time as the world’s first, was initially set for last November 22 but put on hold indefinitely on its eve following a fresh Covid-19 outbreak in Hong Kong.
“The old [conditions] still apply. But of course, both sides are discussing additional safeguards too,” the insider said without offering more details.
Hong Kong’s Tourism Commission, and Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority, confirmed the two governments are in talks.
“Overseas economies that are relatively stable with the pandemic and have close economic and trade relations with Hong Kong have proposed to explore the establishment of “tourism bubble,” a commission spokesman said.